From a concert pianist in South Korea to a woman suffering from depression in Germany to schoolchildren in Japan, Zach Sobiech touched millions of people around the world with "Clouds," his song of farewell to family and friends.

Sobiech was an "extraordinary young man who had the profound ability to make everyone feel better about themselves," said Dan Seeman, vice president and market manager for KS95/Hubbard Radio in St. Paul, who initiated Sobiech's recording of the song. "He embraced his life and challenged each of us to do the same."

Sobiech died early Monday, May 20, at his home in Lakeland, 3 1/2 years after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. He was 18.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our son Zachary David Sobiech," Sobiech's family said in a statement. "We'd like to thank those people who listened with their hearts and helped Zach bring his message and his music to the world."

Sobiech's recording of "Clouds" has received nearly 3 million hits on YouTube and inspired a deluge of love. People who had never met him were inspired to record their own versions and reach out to Sobiech through his CaringBridge website and YouTube.

One of the most touching comments on his YouTube video was from a Gulf War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, said Kris Huson, a spokeswoman for the Children's Cancer Research Fund in Edina.

"He said he had been really depressed.

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He said he couldn't remember the last time he had left his apartment. But he heard the song 'Clouds' and said he was inspired to go outside and walk under the clouds."

Teddy Germond of Amherst, N.H., was moved to leave a note on Sobiech's CaringBridge website:

"We have never met, yet I feel as if we are friends. You have shown me the incredible strength of the human spirit, the value of living every day with purpose, and smiles. ... I believe you have made a positive, indelible mark on millions, and your legacy will carry on to see the cure for this disease."

Another man said he was listening to "Clouds" while driving home from work.

"I was stopped at a red light on the main road," he wrote on Sobiech's CaringBridge page. "There was a bus stop to my right on the corner, and I was playing 'Clouds' with my windows down rather loudly, and the kids (there must have been at least 15 of them) all started singing the song with me and gave a thumbs up."

Sobiech was told in June that he had months -- maybe a year -- to live. When a scan in October showed about 20 new lesions in his lungs, Sobiech's mom suggested he start writing letters to say goodbye.

"I'm not good at writing letters," Sobiech told the Pioneer Press in December. "So I figured instead, I could just write songs for people, and they might be around longer."

"Clouds" told the story of his journey:

Well I fell down, down, down

Into this dark and lonely hole.

There was no one there to care about me anymore,

And I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge.

You were sitting there holding a rope,

And we'll go up, up, up

But I'll fly a little higher.

We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer

Up here my dear.

It won't be long now, it won't be long now.

Besides tributes and covers, the catchy tune inspired a celebrity video, which People magazine said "could easily be the most moving celebrity shout-out of all time." The video, featuring dozens of stars, has received almost 840,000 hits on YouTube.

Rock the Cause in February digitally released Sobiech's album, "Fix Me Up," which he co-wrote with friend and songwriting partner Samantha "Sammy" Brown. And he flew to New York to sign with Broadcast Music Inc., a music rights management company that is collecting royalties for the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund through the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Proceeds from fundraisers and the sale of "Clouds" and Sobiech's other songs have raised $100,000 for the Zach Sobiech fund; digital download sales from iTunes and Amazon Music are expected to generate an additional $10,000.

Zach Sobiech walks with his girlfriend, Amy Adamle, between classes at Stillwater High School on Dec. 3, 2012. "She's strong enough to share the load with me," said Zach, who had a rare bone cancer. Zach died Monday, May 20, 2013, at age 18. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that all memorials be directed to the fund. Nearly 200 donations totaling $11,436 were made Monday, Huson said.

Sobiech said he was happy his music was making such a difference. He also appreciated that celebrity had its perks: He and his girlfriend, Amy Adamle, had a picnic lunch on the 50-yard line of the Metrodome; he met sports heroes; he asked Adamle to prom during a live broadcast on KS95.

"Life is really just beautiful moments one right after the other," Sobiech said. "All of these experiences are super, super cool. All of them are giving me just a little bit more closure on everything."

Sobiech was always good at "recognizing what is good and being grateful for it," said his mother, Laura Sobiech. "He taught all of us how it's done."

"It's just: try and make people happy," Sobiech said about his philosophy of life. "Maybe you have to learn it over time, maybe you have to learn it the hard way, but as long as you learn it, you're going to make the world a better place."

Sobiech, who would have graduated from Stillwater Area High School on June 8, received his diploma early -- through his family at his house in late April, said Linda Moncrief, assistant to the principal at the high school.

He is survived by his parents, Rob and Laura; siblings Alli, Sam and Grace; and his girlfriend, Amy Adamle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.